An interactive didactical map interactive didactical map giving access to sites with a religious relevance.
Back to the Religious Sites List
Pagan temple Daul Tash
Madara
RELIGIONS Paganism
DESCRIPTION OF THE RELIGIOUS SITE
DESCRIPTION The temple temple is the main nucleus of the state cult center - Madara, which was 10 km away. from the first Bulgarian capital and was closely related to the ideas and culture that it broadcast. It included the relief of the Madara Rider, a summer palace with a pagan palace. The old pagan temple played an important role in the propaganda of the rulership.
HISTORICAL RELEVANCE In the religion of the Bulgarians, the idea of power was expressed in the worship of the supreme deity Tangra (Tengri - sky, common to all the steppe peoples of Asia), the inhabitant of heaven depicted as a horseman. His sanctuary was at the huge rock block, torn away from the rock massif thousands of years ago, named by them the Daul Tash.
INTER-RELIGIOUS RELEVANCE The construction of the temple became a conceptual expression of the relationship between religion and state power. Scientists suppose it was a successor to the open sanctuary of Tangra. The building was built of large stone blocks and, according to plan, two rectangles, the inner one of which was equipped with an eastern entrance. The temple is oriented in the direction of the rock. His cult character spoke the following features in his structure: 1) the inner quadrangle was surrounded by all the sides with undisturbed corridors: 2) in the south-east corner of the building there was a wall of stones forming a continuation of the corridor at the end of which a small square swimming pool for water; 3) this pool brings near the pagan temple below the Daul Tash with the temples of Pliska and especially the west of the Great Palace / Throne Palace.
RELIGIOUS INFLUENCE Both temples are distinguished from the others in their impressive dimensions. An additional argument in favor of the cult character of the building is the fact that a three-nave basilica was built above its ruins. The construction of the pagan temple probably took place in the early nineteenth century. In one, though fragmentarily preserved, inscription composed by order of Khan Omurtag (814-831), the worship of the supreme deity of Tangra is directly reflected: "From the god the ruler Khan Omurtag ... was ... and made a sacrifice to God Tangra ... Ichigu-Boil ... gold and ... " In this text the Bulgarians' constellation about the origin and essence of the Han power, according to which it had a peculiar origin, and the ruler was well-chosen, is well known in this text. In synthesis, this expression was expressed in the title of the Bulgarian khan, who was "the God-made ruler", the bearer of the sacral power in the state. The rise of a small palace complex, including cult buildings, at the northern end of the rooftop terrace, is indicative of the fact that the Khan's senior hands were in the hands of the supreme leadership of the cult, and he performed the function of a foreman. That is why for the Bulgarian khans, the pagan temple under Daul Tash played a key role in the establishment of their power.
HOW TO USE WITH THE STUDENTS The students have to visit the temple to acquire new knowledge about the Paganism in Bulgaria.
REFERENCE TO THE GUIDELINE
MEDIA RESOURCES
VIDEOS
LINKS